Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
128. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will re-run the Irish-medium provision section of the Primary School Survey, given criticisms of the wording, and results showing significantly lower demand than in other similar surveys; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40465/26]
View answerOn 4 November 2025, my department published a 'Framework and action plan for delivery of increased choice for parents on education provision at primary level'. The main focus of this framework and action plan was an online, school-specific survey. The survey ran from 4 November to 16 December 2025.
Through the survey, my department has obtained clear information on the preferences of parents and guardians about the primary schools which their children currently attend, or will attend in coming years, on a number of important areas of primary school provision, including patronage/ethos, co-education or single-sex school provision and language of instruction (English or Irish).
Earlier this week, I announced that my department has completed its work on validating the survey responses and analysing the results, and I am pleased to confirm that the next phase in the process is beginning. From the first week of June, every primary school community will receive their school-specific report, together with detailed explanatory information from my department. This guidance will support Boards of Management in sharing the results with their wider school communities and in engaging openly and constructively with parents, staff and patrons on what the findings mean for their individual school.
These school reports will also include the preferences of parents and guardians of children who are not yet in primary school and will be issued to all primary schools, including multi-denominational primary schools.
While the national picture provides important context, it is the position within each individual school community that matters most. The results are intended to support meaningful local engagement and informed decision-making at school level.
